The film Everything Everywhere All at Once not only does a successful job of breaking the multiverse but also explores deep and personal messages about familial bonds. Containing allegories to nihilism in the form of a giant bagel that sucks all love and joy and spectacularly choreographed action sequences that pay homage to Kung Fu movies, its no wonder why critics and audiences are so obsessed with Everything Everywhere All at Once. But the film also propelled actor Stephanie Hsu into the mainstream Hollywood spotlight. She garnered much critical acclaim for her performance as Joy and Jobu Tupaki. But despite this, Hsu has been noted as an accomplished actor in various other mediums, from television to stage.
Stephanie Hsu Has Experience With Broadway and Off-Broadway Musicals
From 2015 to 2019, Hsu starred in the musical Be More Chill in the Off-Broadway Original and Broadway Stage Production as Christine Canigula alongside Will Connolly and George Salazar. As Canigula, Hsu played a theater geek and long-time crush of Heere who, to Heere's dismay, likes one of the popular boys. As expected in a musical, Hsu sings several songs, including "I Love Play Rehearsal," "A Guy That I'd Kinda Be Into" and "The SQUIP Enters."
Her performance in Be More Chill garnered critical acclaim and was nominated for various accolades, including Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical at the Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk Awards. Meanwhile, at the BroadwayWorld Audience Choice Awards, Hsu was nominated for Favorite Onstage Pair and won the award for Favorite Funny Performance.
Stephanie Hsu Was a Comedic Genius on MTV's Girl Code
Before her fame on Be More Chill, Hsu appeared on MTV's Girl Code, a show about actresses, comedians and others who would discuss sisterhood among women. The show was created in 2013, ran for two years and four seasons and starred many actors, including Awkwafina, whom Hsu would work alongside in another movie. Hsu joined the show in 2013 and starred as herself for 56 episodes. She was frequently getting into comedic scenarios, mostly involving physical forms of humor.
Despite not receiving as much critical acclaim for her time on Girl Code, it clearly helped her in future roles, namely her breakout role as Joy/Jobu Tupaki in Everything Everywhere All at Once. That can be seen with the whacky outfits, dance and kung fu moves and props used by Jobu Tupaki. And while Joy doesn't have many comedic moments, Hsu made the most of those small windows of opportunity to make her more relatable.
Stephanie Hsu Was a Successful Attorney in Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Believe it or not, Hsu made a brief appearance in Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. She did not suit up as a superhero, but she did play Soo, a lawyer and friend of both Simu Liu's Shang Chi and Awkwafina's Katy. During her limited screen time, she asked her friends if they aspired to do anything greater with their lives besides working as valets and appeared near the end of the film listening to Shang Chi and Katy's story about their adventure.
Despite her limited screen time, Hsu's role as Soo is prominent because it's the opposite of Joy. Although Soo dabbled in some juvenile behavior when she was younger, she ultimately became a highly successful attorney in San Francisco. While not given enough time to show off her personality fully, Soo's presence hints at Hsu's versatile acting range.
Stephanie Hsu Was Karen in The SpongeBob Musical
If three SpongeBob Squarepants movies weren't enough, there is also a SpongeBob Squarepants musical aptly titled The SpongeBob Musical. The musical was a Broadway Production that began development in 2015 and premiered a year later. It features SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, Mr. Krabs and others as they try to prevent a volcano from erupting and destroying all of Bikini Bottom.
As Plankton's computer wife, Karen, Hsu turns out to be working with her husband to destroy the town with the eruption and even plans on wiping out SpongeBob, Patrick and Sandy with an avalanche should they successfully intervene. Unlike her role in Be More Chill, she joins in with the rest of the cast in the songs "Bikini Bottom Day," "When the Going Gets Tough" and "No Control." But outside of Hsu's vocal performances, one aspect that truly separates her from previous roles is how she effortlessly pulls off a villainous part, which would further aid her in securing her role as Jobu Tupaki in the acclaimed Everything Everywhere All at Once.